Congressman Luke Messer (R-6th District), right, talked with Randie Danhauer, human resources manager at KN Platech, 1755 McCall Drive, before a tour of the factory on Friday. Messer, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, had just come from a visit to Southwestern High School, which has been ranked the safest in the nation.

The campaign trail is becoming a busy place with less than 10 weeks to go before the upcoming May primary.

In recent days, two of the three candidates running to win the Republican nomination for election to the U.S. Senate made stops in Shelbyville.

Congressman Luke Messer (R - 6th District) toured both Southwestern High School and the KN Platech factory on Friday.

Southwestern has been cited as the safest school in the nation, and Messer wanted to review the school’s security protocols in the wake of the recent school shooting in Florida.

Later visiting KN Platech, the congressman toured the factory and spoke with employees.

Congressman Todd Rokita (R - 4th District) came to town and spoke to several dozen supporters at the Riverfront Taproom, 530 N. Harrison St. in Shelbyville.

Rokita shook hands and addressed the crowd of well-wishers on Saturday, speaking about his support of the economic initiatives of President Donald Trump.

Messer and Rokita are in the primary race along with Mike Braun, a businessman and former Indiana state representative, to secure the GOP nomination to run against incumbent Sen. Joe Donnelly (D - Indiana).

The winner of the Republican nomination will face Donnelly in the general election on Nov. 6.

At the county level, nearly every elected office is up for election this year. The big race is for judge of the Shelby Circuit Court to succeed retiring Judge Charles O’Connor.

Six Republican candidates have filed to run for the Circuit Court seat in the primary. No Democrats have filed.

Primary election day is May 8.

Voter registration for the primary is open until April 9. People may register in person at the Shelby County Clerk’s office in the old Shelby County Courthouse, 407 S. Harrison St.

And now, residents may register to vote online using their smartphones.

By texting the word “Indiana” to 2VOTE (28683), users will receive a link to the website.

A valid driver’s license or state ID card is required. Those seeking to register to vote must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years old on or before the date of the next general election which is Nov. 6.

In addition, a person must have lived in his or her voting precinct for at least 30 days before the election date to cast a ballot.